Lady Braves prep for Homecoming

By Melina Savage
Staff Writer

The Lady Braves of UNC-Pembroke finished off basketball non-conference play at 8-3, the best start of the season since 2001.

The Lady Braves defeated Mount-Olive College 59-41 on Jan. 3 at home in the Jones Center. Junior Kristin Vaughan led the Lady Braves to the victory scoring a game high of 19 points, shooting eight of nine for the game. Senior Danielle Richardson finished with a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, to contribute to the Braves victory.

Peach Belt Conference play began Jan. 5 for the Lady Braves when UNCP took on the Lady Jaguars of Augusta State University, falling short three points, 51-48, improving the Jags to 7-5 and dropping the Lady Braves to 8-4. Latoya Renwick scored 12 points for the Lady Jaguars. Richardson led UNCP with another double-double, notching 15 points and 14 rebounds.

Playing in Augusta was not the only close game for UNCP. On Jan. 8 the Braves went neck-and-neck in the Jones Center against the Cougars of Columbus State University. Seven assists and 26 points by Noelle Griffin led the Cougars to an overtime victory, 68-66. The Braves dropped to 8-5 overall. Richardson posted another double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Junior transfer Tracey Lightfoot finished with a team-high of six assists.

On Jan. 12, the Pacers of USC-Aiken came in the Jones Center with a hot hand, defeating the Lady Braves 70-48.

“We gave them a lot of uncontested shots, and they made them all,” junior guard Kristin Vaughan said.

The Lady Braves shooting nearly 40 percent from the floor was not enough to outlast the Pacers.

Next, UNCP traveled to Milledgeville, Ga. Jan. 15 to compete against 2003-2004 Peach Belt Conference champions Georgia College & State University Lady Bobcats. The Lady Bobcats were not intimidated by the Lady Braves' rank of third in the nation for defensive field goal percentage. Georgia College climbed over UNCP 74-57. Junior guard Lindsay Bartholf netted 21 points, while freshman guard Victoria Willis chipped in 11 points.

“It was an unfortunate loss but our season is not over yet, we got to keep playing hard,” Richardson said.

The Lady Braves host the University of North Florida Feb. 5 for Homecoming in the Jones Center. Game time is set for 2 p.m. The men’s team plays at 4 p.m.